Published in Dwarka Express on 1.10.22

A video from Dwarka Delhi has gone viral in media! Yes, that’s e-dahan of Rawan. Curiosity growing, everyone in social media wanted to know how the same is done practically. All Dwarka Residents Federation (AIDF) claims that this is the second year that they are trying e-Dahan of Rawan. The king of Sri Lanka, Rawan, an otherwise multi-talented demon, might feel happy from heaven (if his ‘hell’ term is over!) only to see that large effigies with loaded crackers will never be again burnt at least in coming years, if not immediately. Festival season is on and all over the country, idols of Ganesha have already reached our waterbodies and Durga Maa are waiting for visarjan.

Come September, the celebrations go full swing everywhere, even if economy doesn’t envisage wastage of huge junk of Indian worth. While it is also true that the festivals give employment to many, perishable products also pose a big challenge. As usual the distant murmur of environmentalists seldom becomes ultrasonic! If the Indian festivals go eco-friendly, obviously, this will add to the traditional flavour of festivals. Holi was once celebrated with natural colours. The plastic plates and polythene bags will be replaced by reusable plates and bags for distributing prasad. Idols will never be made of Plaster of Paris but clay soil. Burning of Rawan effigies will go on electronic mode. Silent Diwali all over the country will bring back the glory of pre-dynamite era. History indicates that when Ram returned to Ayodya, there were lightings not bombs and crackers. In South, demon Narkasura’s killing does not have any evidence of celebrations with crackers. There is someone whispering, ‘these environmentalists have no work. How could we sacrifice the grand gala celebrations? Crackers pollution is not a big deal, when compared to Industrial pollution’. When Industrial pollution is challenged in Green Courts, the protagonists of development denounce the petitions, on the plea of hampering development. Someone recently quipped, ‘who would live in polluted Capital, we are shifting to Bangalore!’

So.. when Banglaore is also polluted, where to go?